CVE-2016-4337 in PhotoStore
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the mgr.login.php file in Ktools.net Photostore before 4.7.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the email parameter in a recover_login action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2025
The CVE-2016-4337 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in the Ktools.net Photostore application version prior to 4.7.5. This vulnerability specifically targets the mgr.login.php file which handles user authentication processes including password recovery functionality. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the email parameter during a recover_login action, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands directly into the database layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the authentication module. When users attempt to recover their login credentials through the recover_login action, the email parameter is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper escaping or parameterization. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a common weakness in application security where untrusted data is embedded into sql commands. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where user-supplied data flows directly into database operations without appropriate security controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe implications for system security and data integrity. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database, potentially gaining read access to sensitive user information including email addresses, hashed passwords, and other personal data stored within the photostore application. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers may be able to modify or delete database records, escalate privileges, or even execute system commands depending on the database configuration and permissions granted to the application's database user account. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the credential access and persistence tactics, specifically targeting the use of sql injection to extract sensitive information from databases.
The exploitation of CVE-2016-4337 requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through standard sql injection techniques. Attackers typically craft malicious email addresses containing sql payload sequences that bypass input validation and execute unintended database operations. The vulnerability affects organizations using outdated versions of Ktools.net Photostore, making it particularly dangerous as many systems may remain unpatched for extended periods. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-supplied patch version 4.7.5, implementing proper input validation, and employing parameterized queries to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual sql query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while database access controls should be reviewed to minimize potential damage from successful attacks.